Afghan President's Decision to Sign Law Legalizing Rape Condemned

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has signed a law which "legalises" rape, women's groups and the United Nations warn.

Critics claim that Karzai helped rush the bill through parliament in a bid to appease Islamic fundamentalists ahead of elections in August.

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In a massive blow for women's rights, the new Shia Family Law negates the need for sexual consent between married couples, tacitly approves child marriage and restricts a woman's right to leave the home, according to UN papers seen by The Independent.

"It is one of the worst bills passed by the parliament this century," fumed Shinkai Karokhail, a woman MP who campaigned against the legislation.

"It is totally against women's rights. This law makes women more vulnerable," she added.

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The law regulates personal matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance and sexual relations among Afghanistan's minority Shia community.

"It's about votes. Karzai is in a hurry to appease the Shia because the elections are on the way," Karokhail said.

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The provisions are reminiscent of the hardline Taliban regime, which banned women from leaving their homes without a male relative.

But in a sign of Afghanistan's faltering steps towards gender equality, politicians who opposed it have been threatened.

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The bill lay dormant for more than a year, but in February it was rushed through parliament as President Karzai sought allies in a constitutional row over the upcoming election.

Source-ANI
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